How and why animal welfare concerns evolve in developing countries

Parlasca, M., Knößlsdorfer, I., Alemayehu, G. and Doyle, R. 2023. How and why animal welfare concerns evolve in developing countries. Animal Frontiers 13(1): 26–33.

Implications In developing countries, animal welfare concerns do not receive the same recognition as they do in higher-income countries, from policy and law, through to consumer awareness and purchasing options.

While traditional farmers often have close bonds with their animals, knowledge and action gaps often limit more animal-friendly production.

In some developing countries, livestock production has already largely commercialized and intensified. In these countries, citizens are becoming increasingly aware and sensitive to animal welfare issues, but animal welfare does not yet affect purchasing decisions.

Future scenarios with higher animal welfare are possible, but will require joint efforts by various stakeholders in the livestock sector.

Overall, much more research on animal welfare perceptions in developing countries is needed.